Posts Tagged ‘fuel’

Hi! It’s Wednesday, March 16, 2011 and time for Language Arts atClickSchooling!

In light of the nuclear power plant failures in Japan, a ClickScholar from New Zealand requested recommendations for websites that explain nuclear power, meltdowns, and radiation in a way kids can understand. Here are some sites where you can read (Language Arts) and learn more about it. Parents, as always, should preview the materials to determine what is suitable.

*Use of Radioactive Materials – Use of radiation in industrialequipment and consumer products are sources of radiation thatif improperly handled can result in environmentalcontamination or personal exposure.

*Radiation-Treated Materials – Food, mail, and other items aretreated with radiation to kill pathogens. Learn more aboutthese processes and potential sources of contamination.

*Transportation – Radioactive waste may be transported fromits generation site to a disposal facility. Find out whatsafeguards are in place to prevent exposure in the event anaccident occurs.

*Security – Radiation is involved in many aspects of homelandsecurity and in safety devices such as smoke detectors andairport luggage screeners. It is also used in militaryapplications.

This website also explains the roles that governments andinternational organizations play in protecting people fromharmful exposure to radiation, and describes what you can doto protect yourself and your family.

Information is also available in a series of simple factsheets with links to more in-depth information that you canaccess from the center of the home page. Or, use the menu tolearn how to navigate the site and get links to a wealth ofinformation about radiation archived on this massive site.

At this website you can take a virtual ride with the famous Apollo 11 astronauts on man’s first journey to the moon! This carefully crafted, highly detailed, multi-media animation brings you from Stage 1 at the launch pad to Stage 11 where the astronauts make their way back to earth and land in the ocean.

When you get to the website the animation begins with a brief introduction and an explanation of what you are about to experience. All stages of the mission are historically accurate. Each one comes with explorative views that you can click on to learn more, including facts and photo galleries of the actual events of that very day.

As each stage progresses, you hear live recordings of NASA engineers talking to the astronauts and the astronauts’ replies. Hearing the actual audio footage ads an electrifying mood to the overall experience.

Watch as the rocket takes off and separates into sections, as empty fuel pods are ejected in flight. See the moon landing in action and hear the astronauts utter the famous words “The Eagle has landed”.

Gather the family around the computer to watch this amazing interactive now!

“From 10 pm until dawn, meteors will flit across the starry sky. 2010 is a good year for Perseids because the Moon won’t be up during the midnight-to-dawn hours of greatest activity. For sheer numbers, the best time to look is during the darkest hours before dawn on Friday morning, Aug. 13th, when most observers will see dozens of Perseids per hour.”

It’s time for a backyard campout to enjoy the heavenly fireworks! Learn more by clicking on the link above.

ClickSchooling mom Cie wrote, “My son recommends this free game in which you become the CEO of a company and try to successfully run it while reducing CO2 emissions. He says the game teaches a lot about business and the environment, and the choices are not as easy as you might think.”

Developed by World Wildlife Fund and Allianz (a global finacial services provider), players take on the role of the CEO of one of four major industries that include:

*Insurance – This industry is involved in economic development and liability. As the CEO will you insure green energy projects and invest in education?

*Automotive – As CEO will you continue to manufacture gas-fueled combustion engines or will you develop cars using alternative fuel sources?

*Chemical – This industry manufactures fertilizers, insulation, plastics, industrial gasses and chemicals. Will you use chemistry to stay profitable and reduce greenhouse gasses?

*Utility – Can you meet consumer demand for energy resources with sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels?

The presumption here is that climate change is the biggest threat facing nature and humanity in the 21st century. Your goal is to maximize profit and bring CO2 emissions to nearly zero by the year 2030.

When you get to the site, select an industry. You must enter a player name and company name. The game will download. Then you can watch a video about that industry and it’s potential role in climate change, discover your objective, and play the game.

As Cie said, players will discover that balancing concerns for profit and climate change are not as easy as it may seem. That said, you’ll have a better understanding of why, after playing the game.

Age Range: 8-88 (While the biology is geared for middle/high school and beyond, there are aspects here that will fascinate youngsters as well.)

ClickScholar Nancy Hogan recommended this website, sponsored by Indiana University’s Department of Biology, that offers free, fascinating QuickTime movies using time-lapsed photography to show plants germinating and growing that explains how they search for light and nutrients, avoid predators, exploit neighbors, and reproduce.

As the website explains, “Although our lives depend on plants for virtually everything that keeps us alive (oxygen, food, fibers, lumber, fuel, etc), their lives remain a secret to most of us.” The presentations at this website will reveal “that plants are living organisms capable of some extraordinary things.”

When you get to the site, just click on the “theater ticket” to enter. You’ll see an introduction. Use the menu on the left side of the screen to watch movies showing:

*Germination – See how the life of corn, sunflowers, and Arabidopsis begin.

*Photomorphogenesis – Discover how plant seedlings develop with and without light.

*Tropisms – Watch how tomatoes, corn, and sunflowers can alter their growth to move and change their circumstances for optimal light that benefits their health and development.

*Nastic Movements – View the spectacular plant movements that “include the closing of the carnivorous Venus Flytrap leaf when it captures prey or the folding of the mimosa leaf when it is disturbed.”

*Circadian Responses – Plants respond to changes in time. You can watch movies of plants closing their flowers to “sleep” at night, and changing the position of their leaves in response to environmental stimuli such as light and temperature.

*Flowers – Watch flowers unfold and discover how cells on opposite sides of the petals expand at slightly different rates to cause opening and closing.

All of these movies are accompanied by explanatory text that describes the science behind what you are viewing.

Don’t miss the “Teaching/Learning Projects” where you’ll find some free, fascinating science experiments using plants that you can do at home.

And for fun, check out “Plant Art” that lists the many Hollywood movies that have been made starring plants.

Bill’s online Climate Lab is a companion to the actual exhibit that opens in late 2010. As explained at the website, “It explores the effects of climate change on Earth’s interconnected systems; use of the sun, wind, land, and water to generate clean energy; and innovative technology and design that will yield long-term benefits for human health and the planet.”

When you get to the site, you’ll see an introduction. Then you can choose to go on interactive missions that include:

*Waste Not – Learn about the energy wasters in your home and what you can do to stop them.

*Choose Renewables – Find out about fossil fuels and how they create pollution. Then learn about alternative sources and bio-fuels.

*Watts in Your Water – Discover how to harness water power to produce energy.

*Building Boost – Turn your roof and house into a model of energy efficiency.

*Citizen Science – Join a citizen science project!

*Power in your Hands – Track how much you reduce, reuse, and recycle.

If you want to keep track of your mission scores, you must register (it’s free).

For each mission there are a number of outside resource links for further learning. These can be accessed by clicking on “resources” at the bottom of the page. Note: I did not review the links, so parents (as always) should preview them to determine suitability of content.

Normally, I don’t feature Physical Education on ClickSchooling, but this note from Louise Clare of the “Kids Exercise” website intrigued me:

“We have created a public interest website that focuses on keeping your kids fit, active and healthy, which I thought may be of interest to your readers. We don’t make any profit from the site but we’d like to spread the word and get the information out to as many people as possible.”

Essentially this site archives interesting articles with tips and advice for keeping your kids active and fit by providing exercise and nutrition ideas!

When you get to the site, you’ll see instructions at the top of the screen for how to navigate the site. Below that are some featured articles of interest. Use the menu on the left to access many articles by experts and journalists on these topics:

Fit Families – Learn how to make time for family fitness including using pets as exercise partners.

Fit Kids – Find out how much activity kids need, get fitness suggestions for 5-12 year olds, learn about fitness equipment, personal trainers, and yoga for kids.

Fit Teens – Discover fitness games for teens, how to have a healthy body image, and how to manage stress through exercise.

Fit Under 5’s – Get fun activities to channel your preschooler’s boundless energy and form good nutrition and exercise habits early.

Fitness On the Go – Incorporate movement into holidays and vacations. Get the scoop on Sports and Weigh Loss Camps.

Home Fitness – Enjoy suggestions for active indoor play. Learn about exercise videos for kids and how to get fit playing computer games!